University of Arkansas Parent Partnership Association to Launch Regional Parents Clubs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Parents want to be connected to their University of Arkansas students’ lives, even if they live in a different state or region. To help parents get connected to one another, find out what is happening on campus and to just be involved in the lives of their students, the Parent Partnership Association is creating regional parents clubs in various cities, areas and regions of the country.

“We have heard from lots of students’ parents that they would like to do more, or be more involved in some way with the university,” said Alison Leach, assistant director of parent and family programs.

Parents can join a regional parents club and meet other University of Arkansas parents and families; serve the university; and cheer on the Hogs! The first Regional Parents Club will kick off in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at  6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Brent Tree Country Club, 5201 Westgrove Drive, Dallas. University officials encourage parents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to join them as the university launches this new initiative. To RSVP for this event, please visit http://parents.uark.edu/ and follow the link on the right hand side.

“These regional clubs will allow parents and family members to come together for programs, send-off parties, and just to be able to support each other,” Leach said. Regional Parents Clubs can take on various forms and purposes. Some clubs may focus on coordinating events and services like ride-share programs or send-off parties, others may want to sponsor a scholarship for incoming students from the area or host an athletic game watch party. Whatever programs each club plans, they all have the same mission—to establish relationships and strengthen ties with University of Arkansas parents and family members in their respective communities.

Membership in a Regional Parents Club is extended to any parent or guardian of a University of Arkansas undergraduate student. Some events may require a fee to cover the costs of an event, but there are no membership dues.

Currently, the parent and family program is establishing Regional Parents Clubs in:

• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

• Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers)

• Little Rock, Arkansas

In the upcoming year, the university hopes to launch Regional Parents Clubs in:

• Tulsa, Okla.

• Oklahoma City

• Southwest Arkansas (Hot Springs to Texarkana)

• Kansas City, Mo.

• Memphis-West Memphis area

For more information about a Regional Parents Club in a specific location or to start a club in your area, contact us by email at parents@uark.edu.